%20(1).png?width=200&height=200&name=Untitled%20(200%20x%20200%20px)%20(1).png)
Eligibility Check
We confirm whether you may be eligible for the Subclass 485 visa based on your study, age, and visa history.
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa for PNG and Pacific Graduates
Stay in Australia to live, study and work after completing your Australian qualification, with a reduced visa application charge available to eligible PNG and Pacific citizens.
Or call 07 3519 5619
Migration Star - Registered migration practice. MARA No. 1797395. MIA Member. Founded in 2017. 5,000+ successful clients.
.png "Migration Star Australia (1)")
Who This Page Is For
- You are a recent graduate from PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Timor-Leste who has finished studying in Australia.
- You hold or recently held a Subclass 500 Student Visa and want to remain in Australia to gain post-study work experience.
- You want to understand whether you may be eligible for the Pacific Engagement concession on the Subclass 485 visa application charge.
- You want a clear pathway from graduation to a longer-term skilled or employer-sponsored visa.
Are you eligible for the Subclass 485 visa?
You may be eligible for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa if you meet criteria including:
- You are under 35 years of age at the time of application (subject to limited exceptions published by the Department of Home Affairs).
- You hold an eligible visa, including a Subclass 500 Student Visa, at the time of application, and have held a Student Visa in the previous 6 months.
- You have met the Australian Study Requirement, generally completing a CRICOS-registered course of at least 2 academic years in Australia.
- You meet English language requirements through a test taken in the last 12 months, unless exempt.
- You hold adequate health insurance and meet health and character requirements.
- You apply onshore (Australia) in the relevant stream (Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Vocational Education Work).
PNG and Pacific citizens with a valid passport from one of 13 specified countries may also be eligible for a reduced Visa Application Charge concession under the Pacific Engagement arrangements (refer to the Department of Home Affairs guidance).
Specific eligibility depends on your circumstances. Book a free 15-minute assessment to confirm.
.png "Migration Star Australia (2)")
.png "Migration Star Australia (3)")
Your Subclass 485 pathway with Migration Star
- Free 15-minute eligibility assessment. We confirm at a high level whether you meet the Subclass 485 criteria, identify your correct stream, and check whether the Pacific Engagement VAC concession may apply to you as a PNG or Pacific passport holder.
- 30-minute paid consultation (advice). Your registered migration agent provides formal advice on your strongest pathway, addresses any complexities (course CRICOS status, study gaps, English testing, prior visa history), and outlines documentation requirements.
- Documentation and lodgement. We prepare your application package, including evidence of the Australian Study Requirement, English language results, health insurance, identity documents, and submit the application through ImmiAccount within the applicable lodgement window.
- Post-grant strategy. Once granted, we help you plan the next step, including Subclass 482, 186, 189, 190 or 491 pathways aligned to your occupation, qualifications and location.
Why clients choose Migration Star
Registered Migration Practice.
Migration Star is a registered migration practice operating under MARA No. 1797395. Principal agent Rohit Sharma is a MIA Member. Every application we lodge is subject to the MARA Code of Conduct, giving you a transparent, accountable migration service from the first conversation to grant.
10+ years of migration experience.
Principal agent Rohit Sharma has more than 10 years' experience advising on Australian visa applications across student, graduate, skilled, employer-sponsored and partner streams. Migration Star has supported 5,000+ clients on their pathway to Australia since 2017.
Your case is handled personally by your registered migration agent.
When you book with Migration Star, your case is personally managed by your registered migration agent throughout the application. You always know who is acting on your matter and how to reach them.
Brisbane-based, onshore and offshore clients.
Operating from Eight Mile Plains, Migration Star supports onshore graduates in Brisbane and across Australia, and offshore family members and sponsors in PNG, the Pacific and beyond. Onshore consultations include GST, offshore consultations are GST-free under section 38-190 of the GST Act.
What happens in your free 15-minute eligibility assessment
Stream Assessment
We identify the most suitable Subclass 485 stream and discuss whether the Pacific Engagement VAC concession may apply.
Next Steps Guidance
We explain the next steps and what to prepare for a paid consultation.
Important Disclaimer
No formal migration advice is provided in the free assessment. Personalised advice is available through a paid consultation in line with MARA requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Do PNG and Pacific citizens get a reduced fee on the Subclass 485?
The Department of Home Affairs has introduced a Pacific Engagement concession on the Subclass 485 Visa Application Charge for eligible passport holders from 13 specified Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. We confirm your specific charge in your assessment, as the published figures are subject to change.
Which Subclass 485 stream applies to me?
The Post-Higher Education Work stream is generally for graduates of a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is generally for graduates of an eligible trade or VET qualification on the relevant occupation list. Stream selection depends on your course and CRICOS code.
Do I need a skills assessment for the Subclass 485?
A skills assessment is generally required for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and not for the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Stream-specific requirements apply, so this should be confirmed in your assessment.
Do I need an English language test?
Generally yes, with the test taken within 12 months of application, unless you are exempt as a passport holder of certain countries listed by the Department of Home Affairs. We confirm whether the exemption applies to you.
How long does a Subclass 485 visa last?
Visa duration depends on the stream and qualification. Post-Higher Education Work generally provides between 2 and 3 years, with longer durations available for Masters by research and Doctoral graduates. Current durations are published by Home Affairs and may change.
Can my partner and children be included on my Subclass 485 application?
Family members may be included on a Subclass 485 application as secondary applicants, subject to relationship, health and character criteria. We confirm eligibility and prepare documentation for each family member.
How much does Migration Star charge?
The 15-minute eligibility assessment is free. A 30-minute paid consultation is $165 onshore (GST inclusive) or $150 offshore (GST-free under section 38-190 of the GST Act). Full case fees are confirmed in writing after the assessment, once we understand the scope of your matter.
Ready to start? Book your free 15-minute assessment
If you are a PNG or Pacific graduate considering a Subclass 485 application, the fastest way to clarify your options is a free 15-minute assessment with Migration Star. We will confirm your eligibility direction, identify the right stream, and explain whether the Pacific Engagement concession may apply.